NAYPYITAW- There has been location problem of a meeting between Northern Alliance of four ethnic armed groups and government due to COVID-19 outbreak, says Zaw Htay, a spokesperson of the President’s Office.

A press conference was held at the briefing hall of the Presidential Palace in Nay Pyi Taw, yesterday and the spokesperson replied to the queries raised by the reporter.

Although the plan was underway to meet between government and alliance of four ethnic armed groups in Kumming, China, during the second week of February, it was failed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

So, the government already offered to meet with four ethnic armed groups in Kungtung, Shan State and Myitkyina in Kachin State, according to the spokesperson.

The alliance of four ethnic armed groups said that they were inconvenient for them to come into Myitkyina and Kungtung Townships.    

“The discussion isn’t held only one-sided of the government. The meeting will be held in the participation of both sides,” said Zaw Htay.

The Karenni National Progressive Party-KNPP had planned to meet with the government in Yangon, on March 17th but they requested the government to suspend the meeting due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

A reporter asked about casualties and injuries of civilians due to ongoing fighting in Rakhine State.

Zaw Htay also replied that the fighting suspended during the matriculation exam period. But, he was sad to hear the fighting during the exam. Especially, the fighting impacted the students in Rakhine State. With the aim to seek the ways for solutions of political problems and ethnic rights, they were needed to hold a negotiation with the government.

He also said that the armed struggle line took 70 years in Myanmar. But, it never gained success.